Eminent domain limits approved

1 week added for legislature session

3:35 AM,
Nov. 7, 2012

Written by

Staff Report

The two proposed amendments to the state constitution on Tuesday's ballot passed easily.

The first would limit the eminent-domain power of local and state governments to acquire land. It had more than 76 percent of votes cast, with 70 percent of precincts counted.

The power is already limited by state law, which says governments can only compel the sale of private property if the land is to be used for a public purpose, or to remove a nuisance, such as a blighted building. The U.S. Constitution says property owners must be compensated and state law spells out an appraisal and appeals process to ...